Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior reduction using differential reinforcement and alternative skill acquisition procedures Coby Lund, Ph.D.
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior reduction Plans for reducing any behavior should always emphasize the following 2 considerations: What should this person do instead of the target beh? Why would he/she engage in that alternative beh? FUNCTION Plans for reducing any behavior should always emphasize the following 2 considerations: What should this person do instead of the target beh? Why would he/she engage in that alternative beh? FUNCTION
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior reduction Emphasis on functions of behavior in applied settings ● appropriate: language, social, excesses ● inappropriate: tantrums, aggression IT’S ALL BEHAVIOR Emphasis on functions of behavior in applied settings ● appropriate: language, social, excesses ● inappropriate: tantrums, aggression IT’S ALL BEHAVIOR
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Measurement What behaviors to measure? Behavior reduction (e.g., self-injury, aggression, etc.) Skill acquisition (e.g., language, attention, cognitive abilities, etc.) What behaviors to measure? Behavior reduction (e.g., self-injury, aggression, etc.) Skill acquisition (e.g., language, attention, cognitive abilities, etc.)
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior reduction Why are various and detailed measurements important? Diagnostics (e.g., antecedents, consequences, times of day, etc.) – useful for developing & adjusting programs Evaluation (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) – useful for determining effectiveness of current strategies Why are various and detailed measurements important? Diagnostics (e.g., antecedents, consequences, times of day, etc.) – useful for developing & adjusting programs Evaluation (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) – useful for determining effectiveness of current strategies
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Measurement / Diagnostics
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Measurement / Diagnostics
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Measurement / Diagnostics
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Measurement / Diagnostics
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Measurement / Diagnostics
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior Management Identifying functions can help you in 3 ways: 1.Identify antecedents (eliminate or increase?) o Increase antecedents that evoke positive behavior o Decrease antecedents that evoke negative behavior Identifying functions can help you in 3 ways: 1.Identify antecedents (eliminate or increase?) o Increase antecedents that evoke positive behavior o Decrease antecedents that evoke negative behavior
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior Management Identifying functions can help you in 3 ways: 2.Identify consequences that maintain behavior (eliminate or increase?) o Positive reinforcement: Increase consequences that maintain positive behavior (particularly incompatible behavior). o Extinction: Decrease consequences that maintain negative behavior. Identifying functions can help you in 3 ways: 2.Identify consequences that maintain behavior (eliminate or increase?) o Positive reinforcement: Increase consequences that maintain positive behavior (particularly incompatible behavior). o Extinction: Decrease consequences that maintain negative behavior.
Integrated Behavioral Solutions 3.Identify and target functionally- equivalent behavior o Teach/reinforce replacement behavior (i.e., social skills) o Reinforcement related to function Behavior Management Identifying functions can help you in 3 ways:
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior Management BaselineManding + Ignoring
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior Management Increasing behavior Reinforcement: A consequence that increases the probability of the behavior it follows Increasing behavior Reinforcement: A consequence that increases the probability of the behavior it follows Optimum conditions: Contingent Immediate Appropriate to the person
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior Management Decreasing behavior Extinction: Decreasing the probability of a behavior by removing reinforcement for the target behavior Decreasing behavior Extinction: Decreasing the probability of a behavior by removing reinforcement for the target behavior Optimum conditions: Prepare for extinction “burst” Use in combination w/ R+ procedure
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Behavior Management Decreasing behavior ●Differential reinforcement: Provide reinforcement for some behaviors and not for others DRO: R + for zero rates of behavior DRA: R + for alternative behaviors DRI: R + for incompatible behaviors DRL: R + for low rates of behavior Decreasing behavior ●Differential reinforcement: Provide reinforcement for some behaviors and not for others DRO: R + for zero rates of behavior DRA: R + for alternative behaviors DRI: R + for incompatible behaviors DRL: R + for low rates of behavior
Integrated Behavioral Solutions What about punishment? Should not be primary tx strategy What about punishment? Should not be primary tx strategy Behavior Management Effects diminish when threat decreases Does not teach what you SHOULD do Makes interaction less functional
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Reinforcement vs. Bribery Reinforcement: Instruction ➙ Behavior ➙ R+ Bribery: R+ offer ➙ Instruction ➙ Behavior (i.e., “I’ll give you [this] if you do [this].”)
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Reinforcement vs. Bribery Avoid telling student in advance about the R + he/she will receive (dangling a carrot). Avoid using rewards as bribes.
Integrated Behavioral Solutions Reinforcement vs. Bribery Avoid patterns of using rewards as bribes Do not remind the student of R + he/she would be getting if disruptive behaviors were not occurring (or will get if disruptive behaviors cease). Do not offer additional R + if behaviors escalate in an attempt to calm him/her down. Do not remind the student of R + he/she would be getting if disruptive behaviors were not occurring (or will get if disruptive behaviors cease). Do not offer additional R + if behaviors escalate in an attempt to calm him/her down.